Norwich City v Newcastle United Premier League Preview and Prediction

Premier League Preview for Norwich City v Newcastle United along with Prediction. Included in my preview is my pick, statistical analysis for each team, recent form, and betting odds.

The week 23 Premier League Predictions have been posted, so go read up on my EPL picks for the weekend. You can use this preview for your own information or as betting tips to use for any of the Premier League Betting Links here on the blog. Be sure to also check out the Premier League TV Schedule and 2013-14 Premier League Table.

With both teams not playing in the FA Cup they will have had a week and a half to rest and prepare for this match. This is certainly something they both need despite having won their last Premier League match.

Norwich City

Norwich will certainly be glad for the break as well as looking forward to playing at home. In their last match they were able to put out a strong defensive effort and grab a late goal to run out as 1-0 winners over Hull City. They have struggled to score goals this season with an average of 0.8 goals per game and 18 scored for the season. The bulk of those goals has been scored at home where they have averaged one per game for a total of 11. They have also allowed 11 goals at home this season.

A win for Norwich would be massive and could give them some breathing room in this season’s 11 team relegation battle. To get a win they will need to be very wary of Newcastle’s attacking threat. However, Norwich do have a chance considering that Newcastle has allowed an average of 1.5 goals per game on the road.

Newcastle United

There was a time, not long ago, that Newcastle was at the top of the form table. Then the holiday period hit and they began dropping points, and not just to the top teams either. In their most recent four match losing streak (in all competitions) they lost to Arsenal, West Brom, Cardiff (FA Cup) and Manchester City before finally winning away to West Ham United.

Newcastle has done well this season by putting themselves in the middle of the table and within reach of a European place. They sit at eighth in the table with an 11-3-8 record to give them 36 points this season.

They could be higher if they did not drop so many points to teams below them in the table. Newcastle United has averaged 1.5 goals per game which only drops to 1.4 in away matches.

In their 11 away matches in the Premier League season they have yet to draw a match winning six and losing five.

Prediction

In this season’s previous match Newcastle won 2-1 at home back in November. They have also won three and drawn one to Norwich’s one win in their five meetings. The one win came back in early 2011 in the EPL.

My pick is for a draw, which seems the most likely considering both teams’ recent form as well as their recent history. While Newcastle is probably the stronger side, Norwich has shown some recent gains in confidence and ability and they are the home side. Neither team has any major injury concerns at this time. What Norwich does have going for it is Newcastle’s struggles in matches which they are the favorite. They often have a difficult time breaking down teams and seem to prefer to play a counterattacking style of play.